Fall in Middle Tennessee often brings steady rain, and with it comes slick roads covered in wet leaves. One of the best ways to stay safe is making sure your tires have enough tread to handle the water.
The grooves in your tires aren’t just for looks. They channel water out from under the tire so the rubber can stay in contact with the road. As the tread wears down, those grooves get shallower and can’t move water away as quickly. That’s when a car can start to hydroplane, sliding on a thin layer of water instead of gripping the pavement.
You can check your tread in a few seconds with a coin. Take a penny and put it into one of the grooves with Lincoln’s head pointing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is worn very low and it’s time for new tires.
For wet weather, a quarter gives you a better picture. Put it into the groove with Washington’s head pointing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tires may still be legal, but they won’t handle heavy rain as well as they should. It’s a good idea to start planning for replacement.
Check a few spots across each tire, including the inside, middle and outside grooves. If one area is worn much more than the others, it may point to an alignment or tire pressure problem.
On rainy days, it also helps to slow down, leave extra space and avoid using cruise control on wet roads.
If you’re not sure about your tires, we’ll be glad to check the tread and pressure for you and let you know how much life they have left. Call Franklin Automotive at (615) 472-8052 or stop by 307 5th Ave N in downtown Franklin, Monday through Friday from 7 to 5.
